Crabby collectables

ST. LOUIS — Cepia, makers of wildly popular ZhuZhu Pets, has a new line of collectables in its lineup for the 2011 holiday season. Xia-Xia (pronounced “shah-shah”) Pets is a new line of four collectable hermit crabs that walk and dance when their claws are pressed.

Each character comes with one little crab inside its shell, and the crabs can switch and swap from a collection of 12 candy-colored shells. Three habitat play sets also are available. Play sets and accessories range in price from $5.99 to $19.99.

Competition strains battery sales

Alkaline batteries are showing tepid growth, and experts expect sales to plunge as much as 3% as fierce competition among manufacturers continues to pressure pricing. More devices are using built-in rechargeable battery systems — another trend hurting primary battery sales.

Experts said there is opportunity. Jason Gere, an analyst for RBC Capital Markets, sees long-term growth in rechargeables. “Coin cells are another growth segment, thanks to new opportunities in health/ fitness consumer electronics and active-shutter 3-D glasses,” said Tim Doyle, a Consumer Electronics Association spokesman.

The article above is part of the DSN Category Review Series. For the complete Batteries Sell-Through Report, including extensive charts, data and more analysis, click here.

ReportersNotebook — General Merchandise, 12/12/11

SUPPLIER NEWS — Kimberly-Clark’s new portable cleaning wipes are designed to eliminate smudges from touchscreen devices. Packaged in resealable pouches, the wipes easily remove fingerprints, makeup, and skin oil and grease; won’t scratch glass surfaces; and virtually are lint-free, Kimberly-Clark said. KimTech* wipes are available in two packs (10 wipes per pack) and three packs (with 20 wipes per pack) for a suggested retail price of $3 and $7.49, respectively.

Downy’s new in-wash scent booster allows users to control the amount of scent that gets added to each laundry load. Downy Unstopables dissolves during the wash cycle and is safe to use at any temperature in any washing machine, including high-efficiency washing machines, according to Downy’s parent company Procter & Gamble. The booster is available in two varieties: Unstopables Fresh, which offers a clean, crisp and refreshing scent that can be used in tandem with Downy Clean Breeze; and Unstopables Lush, which enhances the benefits on Downy Simple Pleasures Lavender Serenity laundry product. Unstopables is available for the suggested retail price of $6.99 per bottle.

MidWest’s new MidWest invisible gripper ladies garden glove features a floral print pattern design and a knit wrist that keeps dirt out. “These new garden gloves are truly exciting with the new invisible gripping surfaces,” MidWest president Stephen Franke said. “We feel this is the beginning of a significant trend change in the glove industry.”

Pulitzer Prize-winner Peggy Noonan, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and singer Diana Ross now feature on the schedule for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, slated for April 21-24 in Palm Beach, Fla.

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